SWEEPING changes which “inject humanity” back into Britain’s beleaguered care system are needed to protect the frail and vulnerable, a hard-hitting report warns.

Unless fundamental reforms are made and more cash is provided, the care home sector will find itself plunged into a “permanent crisis”, says the Joseph Rowntree Trust charity.

The call echoes the Daily Express crusade Respect For The Elderly, which has consistently called for ­better care funding.

John Kennedy, director of care services at the charity, headed the year-long investigation and found an “impersonal” culture pervading the sector.

His report says the industry, which cares for 400,000 people and employs more than one million, needs “real change”.

Kindness and compassion need to be nurtured, it can’t be just legislated

John Kennedy, director of care services at the Joseph Rowntree Trust charity

He writes: “The system is set up to fail, with the minimum resource, effort and value placed on care homes.

“Kindness and compassion need to be nurtured, it can’t be just legislated. If you are in it just for the money, you’re in the wrong business.” Mr Kennedy, who has 30 years’ experience working in care homes, spoke to residents, relatives, staff, managers, regulators, commissioners and the public.

His report makes recommendations including a cull of unnecessary paperwork and for regulation to cover working conditions.

Above all, he calls for more money to be pumped into care which currently gets only £12billion – 1.8 per cent – of national expenditure. The NHS gets £102billion.

Mr Kennedy adds: “The Government, regulators and care home providers need to come together to improve funding and pay, cut bureaucracy and inject humanity back into the system we rely upon to look after our loved ones and ourselves.”